He admitted that his budget put local administrators in a tight spot, but said they needed to make the tough calls at the local level. In Upper Darby, that means about 50 fewer teachers, no special classes in art and music at the elementary level, and no language and tech classes in the middle schools.

We've also editorialized on the predicament Corbett finds himself in, a Republican governor whose party controls both the state House and Senate, yet seems to be making no one happy, including some in his own party. You can read that one here.

I specifically asked the governor something that many of the parents in Upper Darby have asked for - a meeting with Corbett. I even went so far as to point out that he doesn't have to come to Upper Darby. The parents are going to him. They're taking a caravan of buses to Harrisburg next Wednesday to protest the budget cuts. Corbett checked his calendar, then said he would be "in and out" on Wednesday.

I get the feeling the parents will make their presence known.

The rally in Harrisburg comes one day after another public hearing Tuesday night on the Upper Darby budget, which is sure to draw another packed house.

Then on Thursday we will be presenting another panel of parents on a special Thursday night edition of 'Live From the Newsroom.' Should be interesting as the parents have made clear they did not particularly care for Gil Spencer's latest column belittling their fate. You can read that one - and their comments - here.

Stay tuned!

Funny, he doesn't look Italian

The face that accompanies my column and blog is all about being Irish. The nose is a dead giveaway.

But last night I turned Italian - at least for one night. I hope to do the same on Sunday. And it is not for the traditional Sunday 1 p.m. dinner with my in-laws.

Last night we used our 'Live From the Newsroom' live-stream broadcast to preview one of the best events of the summer in Delaware County. I'm talking about the third annual Italian American Heritage Festival.

It takes place noon-6 p.m. Sunday at Rose Tree Park. And here's the best part - it's free!

You don't have to be Italian to take part in the fun, you just have to enjoy great food, music, culture, authors, actors and entertainers.

My special thanks to Barbara Zippi, the force behind the festival, for joining us last night, along with Sandee Bengel, who will be performing and doing interviews at the park, Donna Viso, of Viso's Bakery in Aston, who brought along a bunch of scrumptious Italian desserts (which were last seen being devoured in the newsroom) and Barry Wahrhaftig, of Hot Club of Philly, who gave us a taste of the musical offerings he'll be serving up Sunday.

Make sure you head to Rose Tree Park on Sunday. The Daily Times and DelcoTimes.com will be there. We'll be doing another live-stream from the park. Stop by out tent to chat - and to watch the Irish editor try to pull off being Italian for a day.

Editor finds himself in a pickle(ball)

That image that appeared in Wednesday's Daily Times was not photoshopped.

There is a new dress code for this year's Delco Senior Games. Button down shirt, tie, slacks and loafers are required.

Not really. But that's what I was decked out in as I joined columnist Gil Spencer for a demonstration of pickleball, the newest edition to the Senior Games lineup.

Here's the bad news. I proved a fairly inept pickleball player. Here's the good news. The game is a blast. Think of a combination of ping pong and tennis played with something like a wiffle ball.

While it chagrins me to know that I actually have qualified for the Senior Games for a few years now, with games like pickleball in the mix, they can count me in.

My thanks to all the folks out in Concord Township, who hosted us in their spectacular new Brandywine Youth Club O'Donoghue Field House.

And in particular for Maris Grove residents Betty Allcorn and Betsey Cheeseum, who I think took it easy on me and Gil in defeating us in our little expedition.

Can someone explain to me how Cliff Lee can still have zero wins after starting eight games?

That's two less wins than the ageless Jamie Moyer, the 49-year-old wunderkind who was released by the Rockies this week.

Lee pitched well again last night, giving up three runs on seen hits, but he still has a big goose egg in the win column to show for it. His ERA is a solid 3.00.

The good news is that the Phils rallied late, getting a homer from this year's hero, Carlos Ruiz, who came off the bench and homered to tie the game in the eighth. Jimmy Rollins' homer in the ninth won it.

Even better news? The Marlins beat the Nationals again, sweeping their series and further tightening the bunched NL East. The Phils are just three games back, though still residing in last place, looking up at the Braves, Mets, Miami and Nats.

But 3 games out with the injuries they've incurred? I'll take it.

The Daily Numbers: 40 percent of the entire state budget that is devoted to education, as pointed out by Gov. Tom Corbett.

1.1 billion dollars devoted to pension payments by the state this year.

1.6 billion, the amount owed next year.

4.3 billion dollars owed in 2016-17.

2003, when James Amabile of Ridley vanished. He has not been seen or heard from since.

2 heists at a bank in Marcus Hook days apart now believed to be the work of a borough man.

16, age of alleged victim in rape case against 29-year-old Ridley man. He says the sex was consensual.

19 new members inducted into the Springfield Hall of Fame.

2 court rulings that went against Chester Community Charter School in their fight with the state and Chester Upland.

87, age of man whose death is being attributed to the recent heat wave. He was working in his yard in Roslyn at the time.

161 point decline for the Dow yesterday.

10 dollars below its initial IPO share price for Facebook offering.

52, age of man who apologized in court yesterday for incident in which he threw a cup of hot coffee at a clerk. He will face trial for assault.

5 students felled for some reason at a school in Lehigh County. Investigators found no reason why the kids passed out.

3 victims who have now described attacker who sexually assaulted them in Pennypack Park in Philly.

17 people arrested in a cocaine ring that was running drugs from New York City to Philly.

10-6 win for the Phils over the Mets last night, thanks to home runs from pinch hitter Carlos Ruiz to tie it in the 8th and the game winner from Jimmy Rollins in the 9th.

5-4 win for Radnor over Central League rival Garnet Valley in boys lacrosse.

2 wins for 49-year-old Jamie Moyer, who was designated for release by the Rockies.

Call me a Phanatic: A look at the ups and downs of being a Philadelphia sports fan.Anyone care to explain to me how Cliff Lee can possibly have two less wins than Jamie Moyer? In fact, Lee has yet to win a game in his eight starts.

I Don't Get It: A dispute between mother and son got a bit out of hand in Upper Darby. Police say mom hit her offspring with a baseball bat. I don't get it.

Today's Upper: Kudos to all those who took part in the Red, White and Blue Mass at Annunciation BVM school to honor emergency personnel. The school is due to merge with St. Denis next fall.

Quote Box: "So if I'm going to propose increasing money for education, who do we take it from?